THE REST OF THE STORY...
The story of the animal ordinance and the Fayette County Animal Shelter has been presented by some as an all-or-nothing moment in time ... a snapshot... in which all was lost in 2017 .... rather than part of the continualprocess of improving the lot of our animals. A great deal of misleading and false information has been shared on social media. The rest of the story is what the Board of Commissioners and the staff of our Animal Shelter have focused on, and accomplished since 2017. We moved ahead.
It's been said the Board of Commissioners did not listen. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While the commissioners differed on the necessity of a new ordinance, they nevertheless supported changes to better the lives of the animals in our care. That has been my goal, is my goal, and is the shared goal of each commissioner, our Animal Shelter staff, and concerned citizens.
Untold are the many positive, ongoing changes occurring at the shelter that readers should be aware of.
As a Commissioner, I use social media to inform. Aware of my public position as an elected leader, I will not engage in negative attacks and I refrain from responding to them. When I do respond, it is with facts.
To date, and through my entire tenure, I have publicly and privately offered to meet and speak with individuals who have posted inaccurate information. Some have accepted my offer and discovered a genuine, reasonable analysis, even if we do not completely agree.
Other times, I have corresponded via email or other forms of correspondence.
And yet, some refuse the opportunity to communicate.
The truth is, I cannot control what others say, nor can I control what others refuse to hear.
The history of the Animal Ordinance is an example what goes wrong when one commissioner circumvents the body of officials charged with creating ordinances, and of which that commissioner is a member. The friction and animosity that culminated on July 13, 2017, was an unnecessary, but inevitable byproduct.
Click here to see how we’ve moved beyond July 13, 2017.
The story of the animal ordinance and the Fayette County Animal Shelter has been presented by some as an all-or-nothing moment in time ... a snapshot... in which all was lost in 2017 .... rather than part of the continualprocess of improving the lot of our animals. A great deal of misleading and false information has been shared on social media. The rest of the story is what the Board of Commissioners and the staff of our Animal Shelter have focused on, and accomplished since 2017. We moved ahead.
It's been said the Board of Commissioners did not listen. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While the commissioners differed on the necessity of a new ordinance, they nevertheless supported changes to better the lives of the animals in our care. That has been my goal, is my goal, and is the shared goal of each commissioner, our Animal Shelter staff, and concerned citizens.
Untold are the many positive, ongoing changes occurring at the shelter that readers should be aware of.
As a Commissioner, I use social media to inform. Aware of my public position as an elected leader, I will not engage in negative attacks and I refrain from responding to them. When I do respond, it is with facts.
To date, and through my entire tenure, I have publicly and privately offered to meet and speak with individuals who have posted inaccurate information. Some have accepted my offer and discovered a genuine, reasonable analysis, even if we do not completely agree.
Other times, I have corresponded via email or other forms of correspondence.
And yet, some refuse the opportunity to communicate.
The truth is, I cannot control what others say, nor can I control what others refuse to hear.
The history of the Animal Ordinance is an example what goes wrong when one commissioner circumvents the body of officials charged with creating ordinances, and of which that commissioner is a member. The friction and animosity that culminated on July 13, 2017, was an unnecessary, but inevitable byproduct.
Click here to see how we’ve moved beyond July 13, 2017.
Charles W. Oddo
Commissioner
Fayette County Board of Commissioners
Candidate, District 5, At-Large
Commissioner
Fayette County Board of Commissioners
Candidate, District 5, At-Large